Let it snow (Beginner)

In this tutorial, we are going to learn how to use the new Multiplier Replacement feature to create different effects like creating snow and draw a full forest using just one image layer. At the end of the tutorial you will have the following results (please notices how the trees change position on each refresh):

After unzipping the file, open the page1.psd file in Photoshop. Then, in Kwik 2, create a new project, using the info below:

Creating the title animation

Select the title grouped layer (it contains the “Let it Snow” words) then go to toolset Animations and select Linear animation. Enter the following info (basically you are just fading the layer to 100% alpha, in 3 seconds, waiting 5 seconds after the screen appeared) – you can use the auto-created name for your animation or enter your own:

After entering all the correct parameters, click Create.

In order to have a correct fade in this animation, it is important to start the animation with the title layer fully transparent. You can do that going to the toolset Project and Pages, then selecting Hide layer, group or page. Doing that, you will see the following screen:

Accept the selection and click Create.

Planting trees

Select the tree layer. Go to toolset Layers and Replacements then select Multiplier replacement (the last icon – looks like a calculator – in the 2 row of icons). It will open the following screen (which shows each value you should use in this example):

A little explanation on each option we are using for this layer:

– Amount: number of copies created using the current layer as sample;

– Time interval: time, in seconds, between the drawing of each copy – in this case, our 10 tree forest will show together;

– Distance: is the distance, in pixels, between each copy. Random, will draw the copies using the boundaries fields below. Fixed, will draw the copies using the X and Y fields at the right side;

– Random boundaries: sets the minimum and maximum X and Y positions for each copy. In our example, for the X position we are creating copies across the full screen horizontal dimensions (from pixel 0 to 1024, which is the maximum resolution for the old iPad). For the Y, we are fixing the vertical position to 520 (because we set the minimum equal to the maximum);

– Alpha: is the amount of minimum and maximum transparency we want to apply to each copy;

– Scale boundaries: sets the minimum and maximum X and Y object scale for each copy. In our example, we are creating copies that may vary in sizes of 50 (half of the original size) to 100 (original size);

We are going to learn about the other parameters while configuring the snow so, click Create.

Bringing snow from the skies

Select the snowFlake layer. Go to toolset Layers and Replacements then select Multiplier replacement again. It will open the following screen (which shows each value you should use in this example):

Let’s focus now on the last parameters of the Multiplier window. As each snow flake will interact with the real physics of the world, we need to tell Kwik about it:

– Enable physics: if checked, sets the page to start the physics engine;

– Wind: will add some force to the gravity environment, simulating the wind effect in lighter objects;

– Weight boundaries: sets the minimum and maximum amount of weight to each copy;

After enter the info, click Create.

Previewing your project

Make sure you have the Export images icon highlighted in the Status bar, then press the Publish button. Kwik will create all images and code necessary for previewing your project. When it finishes, the Simulator starts. Open your project folder and you will see your forest full of trees (feel free to play more with the Multiplier options), the snow starts then, after 5 seconds, the title appears.

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